How To Install Door Actuators

Door lock actuator: problems, testing, replacement

Updated: Baronial 01, 2022

The electronic door lock actuator is the part that latches and locks/ unlocks the door in a car with power locks. In most mod cars, the door lock actuator associates includes a built-in latch machinery, every bit well as the switch (sensor) that monitors if the door is open or closed/locked. The door lock actuator is continued to the inner and outer door handles via cables or mechanical links.

Door lock actuator bug

At that place are several reasons why a door lock actuator may need to be replaced:
The worn-out door lock actuator can produce a buzzing dissonance during lock/unlock operation. A failed door lock actuator will cause the door lock not to work when all other door locks are working.

If the electric motor or the mechanism within the door lock actuator wears out, the door lock may lock or unlock slowly or work sometimes, but not all the time. In some cars, a failed door lock actuator may lock but won't unlock or the other way effectually.

Often, the cable that connects the door lock actuator to the door handle may be built in into the actuator assembly. In this case, if the cable breaks, the door lock actuator assembly may also need to exist replaced. Run into the photo of a broken door lock cable.

The problem with the built-in switch that monitors if the door is open or closed can crusade the "Door Ajar" warning light to stay on even if the door is closed. The same problem can cause the anti-theft alert to become off randomly. Sometimes it happens in rainy weather, when water penetrates into the door lock actuator and shorts the switch within.

If the bolts that hold the door lock actuator come loose, it volition cause the door not to lock properly.

How the door lock actuator is tested

Checking the voltage at the door lock actuator connector

To diagnose, your mechanic may need to take the door cover off, check the door lock linkages and test the voltage at the door lock actuator, following the wire diagram. The voltage is measured when the power lock push button is pressed. If there is a voltage, only the actuator doesn't work, the door lock actuator is bad and needs to be replaced. If there is no voltage nowadays when the power lock switch is operated, the problem must be traced further using the electrical diagram. Information technology could be a main door lock switch, broken door wiring harness, bad connector, failed control module or but a diddled fuse. Read also: how to check a fuse.

How can you tell which door lock actuator causes the alert to become off?

If you suspect that ane of the door lock actuators is causing the alarm to go off in rainy weather, the first step is to cheque the weatherstrips to a higher place the door locks.

Gap between the weatherstrip and the door post Lubricating door locks

Water can go within the door lock actuator if the weatherstrip right above it does non seal properly.

For example, in the photo (click to enlarge) you tin see the gap in the weatherstrip which is the easiest way for h2o to get inside the door lock actuator beneath. One of our friends fixed the random alarm that was going off in his auto on rainy days by sealing these gaps in all the doors and lubricating the door locks and the trunk/tailgate locks.

Bank check if all the doors shut smoothly and the "Door Ajar" light turns off every time the door is closed. If the lite sometimes stays on and sometimes turns off when closing one of the doors, the switch in that door is the likely culprit. If any of the door locks look rusted, it'southward a good idea to lube them with a proper liquid lubricant.

If no obvious mistake is found, this problem can be diagnosed at your dealership. In some cars, the mechanic can see which door (or the body or the hood) has triggered the alarm for the concluding several times using the dealership scan tool. If the scan tool shows that multiple alarms were triggered by the same door, the door lock connector and the actuator must be inspected. Ofttimes, replacing the affected door lock actuator solves the problem.

Door lock actuator replacement

Replacing a door lock actuator

Replacing a door lock actuator at a dealership may cost $fourscore-$180 labor plus $120-$270 part (OEM). Aftermarket parts are cheaper ($50-$120), but they are non available for all cars.

How like shooting fish in a barrel is it to supercede a door lock actuator every bit a DIY project? We would rate information technology at 6 on a calibration from 1 to 10, with 10 being the nigh difficult. The door cover needs to be removed. The access inside the door is limited and you lot would demand a pocket-size flashlight to meet inside the door. In some cars, the window regulator together with the window or the outer door handle may too need to exist removed, which is oftentimes catchy. The most difficult part, though, is to properly connect all the cables and links after the new door lock actuator is installed.

Source: https://www.samarins.com/glossary/door_lock_actuator.html

Posted by: owenhiout1981.blogspot.com

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